Update

[Aylmer]

Had good appointment with private endo today. He didn't agree with treatment I've been receiving but agreed with you all - I should have had my antibodies checked. Is writing to my GP (whose letter of referral he was very impressed with) to request antibodies test, also to request a referral to a cardiologist to re-assess my angina.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Feeling less anxious about it all & very grateful to have found an endo who listened, explained and was prepared to work with me rather than dictate. Not totally sorted yet but do feel we are getting somewhere.

[ling]

Good to hear : )

Hopefully the right antibodies will get tested.

TRAb or TSI to confirm Graves

TPO and TG antibodies for Hashimoto's

Best wishes.

[greygoose]

Why isn't he testing for antibodies himself? A GP cannot test TRAB or TSI, it has to be an endo.

[Nico101 in reply to greygoose]

My GP tested for antibodies... but only because I'd sent her a copy of my Medichecks results and told her I had Hashi's. She was very put out that I'd done private tests and couldn't accept the results, so was forced to confirm the results by testing me through the NHS.

So it can be done - but good luck trying to get a GP to do it!

[greygoose in reply to Nico101]

Your GP tested for TRAB? Or did she test for TPOab?

[Nico101 in reply to greygoose]

I made a note of the figure when the GP rang me - but I still haven't been able to get in for the full results - and I've written TPA 50.4. She's an Ozzie, so maybe I misheard and she said TPO.

[greygoose in reply to Nico101]

TPOab/TPA same thing. But, they are not Grave's antibodies. They are Hashi's antibodies. And a GP can request those.

TRAB or TSI are Grave's antibodies, and a GP cannot request them to be tested.

[Nico101 in reply to greygoose]

Ah, ok. Silly, isn't it? If they suspect Graves - assuming the GP knows what it is - then they should be able to request any test that would confirm or deny it.

[greygoose in reply to Nico101]

You'd think so, wouldn't you. But, most GPs don't know the difference between Grave's and Hashi's, anyway - a lot of endos don't, either!

[Nico101 in reply to greygoose]

Ain't that the truth.

[Marz]

Yes lets hope the correct A'B's are tested - heart and thyroid issues are very closely connected.

How are your nutrient levels ? B12 - folate - Ferritin - VitD ? If low in range then they can affect the heart.

Putting on the weight you mentioned earlier sounds more Hypo so could be Hashimotos ...

[pennyannie]

Hello there Aylmer

Well good news there then, one step forward at least !

I presume he didn't undertake the tests as you would have had to pay for them.

It is your right to have these tests done on the NHS and within county - it's crazy that they haven't already actioned the antibody test as definitive proof, of Graves Disease.

[hemp66]

Where is this consultant please looking at go private TIA